The All Blacks put more than 50 points on Argentina in Hamilton, including 33 unanswered points in the final 27 minutes as they raised their speed to a level the visitors couldn't live with, but they have judged themselves harshly in their review today, saying significant improvements are required before their test against a "hurting" South Africa.
Chief among their deficiencies was the way the Pumas were able to burst through the middle of the All Blacks' defence at Waikato Stadium with their offloading game; the Argentine pack showing a level of directness and handling that appeared to surprise the home side, who struggled initially to get their hands on the ball.
The lineout too, flawless in the two Bledisloe Cup tests, had its wobbles during the 57-22 win, with Dane Coles overthrowing twice, and the Springbok pack will look to put pressure on there at Christchurch's AMI Stadium on Saturday, the first time the Boks have played at the venue. Their last visit here was in 2007, a 33-6 victory for the All Blacks at the old Lancaster Park before the Boks won the World Cup final in Paris a few months later.
Allister Coetzee's South Africans looked muddled at times in losing 23-17 to the Wallabies in Brisbane at the weekend, but, after cruising through their Bledisloe Cup victories, the All Blacks will be expecting a level of intensity similar to that of the Pumas.
The senior All Blacks led the review, and Jerome Kaino said they didn't need to be told where they went wrong in Hamilton.
"We point it out before the coaches," the loose forward said. "If the coaches have to tell you that this is where you have to improve before you point it out then there's something wrong. As leaders we take it personally, we take it on ourselves to initiate that and our coaches give us guidance on how we can improve.
